In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Samwu strike in Buffalo City Metro over outsourcing and other grievances called off GroundUp reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) has called off its week-long strike and instructed members to return to work. The strike stemmed from failed negotiations with municipal management to address workers’ grievances, including outsourcing and casualisation of work, failure to pay incentives promised during Covid, and salary disparities with other cities. Samwu’s Zolani Ndlela told a gathering of workers at the Orient Theatre in East London that the strike had been a success and advised: “The employer has agreed to resolve all the issues that led to the strike, and we have agreed on timeframes for resolving these issues.” Samwu Regional Secretary Thando Poni said that initially workers were not going to be paid for the days they were on strike, but the metro’s management had agreed to pay workers their full salaries. He added that the municipality has committed to reducing outsourcing, particularly in areas that did not require scarce skills. Some issues around Covid incentives have yet to be resolved, but a “danger pay” allowance could be paid to some workers. BCMM spokesperson Bongani Fuzile confirmed that an agreement had been reached. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Johnnie Isaac at GroundUp
Unrest in Ventersdorp over allegations that ANC councillors excluded residents from jobs at local mine Maroela Media reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed deep concern over unrest in Ventersdorp, where police clashed with residents during protest action on Monday. According to Lebo Nchoela, DA councilor for public affairs in the JB Marks local municipality, community members were brutally beaten. For days, major routes, including the N14, were blocked as part of ongoing protest. The immediate trigger for this unrest was apparently the discovery that local residents had been excluded from employment opportunities at a nearby mine. Allegations were made that ANC councillors instructed mine management to hire only individuals from politically compiled lists, bypassing fair and transparent recruitment processes. The absence of clear answers has reinforced the perception that ANC councillors were abusing their positions to secure jobs for comrades, friends, and family members. In response, frustrated residents have announced their intention to travel to Potchefstroom to deliver a letter to the Office of the Speaker. They are demanding that all ANC councillors representing Ventersdorp wards appear before the community by Sunday, 28 September 2025, to account for their actions and to explain what they have delivered since assuming office. The DA said that while it did not condone riots, looting, or violent protest, it fully supported the rights of residents to expose corruption and abuse of power through lawful and democratic means. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media
Cable theft, gunshot battles and underground blasting force Primrose residents to petition MPs to act TimesLIVE Premium reports that frustrated residents of Primrose in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, have approached parliament to develop an urgent action plan to tackle illegal mining in the area, which they say is the cause of the high crime levels and the frequent power outages they experience. Ward councillor Wendy Morgan said they have submitted a petition to the portfolio committees for mineral resources and energy, police, home affairs and the environment to urgently implement a joint action plan to address illegal mining in the area. Morgan said since August last year, they have reported cable theft more than 77 times, and their substation has been out over 40 times, which affects the community for two days, three days at a time. “You often hear stray bullets coming through people’s ceilings. Fortunately, no-one has been hurt, but there is ground blasting that is making the residential area shake,” Morgan lamented. She said the gunshots that sometimes lasted until the early hours of the morning emanate from the disused mine shafts where zama zamas (illegal miners) were fighting for territory. The chairperson of the Primrose community policing forum (CPF), Tracey Enslin, said a recent meeting with officials was positive, with representatives from the mayor's office, the premier's office and the department of community safety. “We did a site visit at lower Main Reef Road, where zama zamas are very active and constantly blasting underground. This blasting has got so bad that it has caused damage to residential properties in the area and is now causing a sinkhole on the N3 freeway,” she indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)
Exodus of pathologists leave NHLS for private sector EWN reports that according to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), higher pay in the private sector has been the core reason why many pathologists have left the public health sector. In five years, the Gauteng NHLS has lost eleven staff members, leaving it with only four pathologists. On Monday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) visited the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, where it was revealed that two of the four pathologists were expected to retire soon. During the meeting between the DA and lab officials, the party's Jack Bloom referenced a grievance letter the pathologists had previously presented to management. In the letter, the pathologists had listed that they were unhappy about the suspension of a night shift, the work overload, safety and inadequate equipment. However, NHLS CEO Koleka Mlisana said most of the pathologists had left for better pay. NHLS said it was looking into ways of retaining staff, while it tried to fill vacant posts. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jabulile Mbatha at EWN Read too, Pathology backlog at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital reaches breaking point, at SABC News Social Development quietly removes inexperienced 22-year-old Chief of Staff Daily Maverick reports that following its report earlier this month on the questionable credentials of Department of Social Development (DSD) Minister Sisisi Tolashe’s new Chief of Staff, Lesedi Mabiletja, she has been quietly replaced in her position. This was indicated in a memo sent to DSD staff on 23 September, which also announced the replacement of the department spokesperson, after just three weeks in the job. The memo did not give any reason for Mabiletja’s removal. The moves are said to suggest a ministry, arguably one of the most important in the country, in something close to internal chaos. The department was previously warned by HR that Mabiletja did not even meet the requirements to be appointed as the minister’s secretary, let alone chief of staff. But Minister Tolashe nonetheless chose to appoint Mabiletja, a 22-year-old with virtually nothing in the way of professional experience, to a senior leadership post with an annual salary of around R1,4-million. Mabiletja is apparently the niece of Tolashe’s favoured special advisor, Ngwako Kgatla, who has yet to face disciplinary charges relating to a previous episode, where he was allegedly receiving two government salaries simultaneously without disclosing. Mabiletja remains in the employ of the DSD, having been returned to the position she previously held as Tolashe’s private secretary. The same internal memo also announced the removal as department spokesperson of Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane, who had been serving in the role for only three weeks, following the suspension of previous spokesperson Lumka Oliphant. The memo also gave no reason for the removal of Xulu-Lentsoane, Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rebecca Davis at Daily Maverick Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Can a remote worker get fired for refusing to return to office? Jan Truter of Labourwise notes that remote and hybrid work arrangements have become a normal feature of modern employment. But, what happens when an employer decides to end such an arrangement and instructs the employee to return to the office? The recent Labour Court judgment in Medici Energy (Pty) Ltd v Bennet NO and Others (2025) illustrates that the answer is not always straightforward. The employee had worked remotely for more than two years, a concession initially granted because of her son’s serious medical condition. On 11 May 2022, the employee requested grievance forms to lodge complaints against two managers. HR only provided the forms after a follow-up request on 9 June. The very next day, the company instructed the employee to return to its Cape Town office from Monday 13 June. No consultation preceded the instruction. When the employee did not comply, she was dismissed for gross insubordination. At arbitration, the CCMA commissioner found the instruction unreasonable and arbitrary. He found that a genuine work-from-home agreement existed; the notice to return to work was inadequate; and the alleged justification of “a decline in Covid-19 cases” was not acceptable. The timing, immediately after the employee had pursued a grievance, suggested a retaliatory motive rather than a legitimate operational requirement. The dismissal was found to be substantively unfair. On review in the Labour Court (LC), the company argued that no reasonable commissioner could have reached this conclusion. But, the LC disagreed and held that the CCMA’s findings were well grounded in the evidence. It upheld the award of eight months’ compensation to the employee. The lessons from the case are said to highlight the importance of the following: formalisation of agreements; inclusion of a termination clause; actions that are reasonably in the absence of a clear agreement; and an appropriate response if the employee refuses to return. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Truter at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Shoprite executives, directors in R110m share award Moneyweb reports that Shoprite Holdings has granted directors and executives of the group, as well as its main subsidiary Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd, forfeitable share awards totalling R110 million. The first chunk, for awards in terms of its Executive Share Plan, totalled R56 million, while the awards in terms of its Short-Term Deferred Incentive totalled R53.8 million. The former award has a three-year vesting period, while the latter’s vesting period is two years. CEO Pieter Engelbrecht was granted a total of R33.4 million in performance-based awards, and CFO Anton De Bruyn was granted a total of R14.7 million in awards. The group’s deputy CEO, Joseph Brönn, was granted R13.1 million in awards, and its COO, Willem Hunlun, received R10.3 million in awards. These are both very senior roles within the group, but only the CEO and CFO are on the board. Other awards were to Neil Schreuder, the group’s chief strategy and innovation officer, Andrew Havinga, the group’s chief supply chain officer, Leanne Goliath, the group company secretary, Natasha Moolman, head of investor relations, and Maude Modise, the executive for enterprise and government. This was a significant award of shares to executives, after the group reported an 8.6% increase in revenue to R256.7 billion in the year to 29 June. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Moneyweb
Bonitas announces medical aid price hikes for 2026 averaging 8.8% BusinessTech reports that medical aid scheme Bonitas has announced price increases for 2026, averaging 8.8% across its plans. According to Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, certain “strategic options” will see increases below this level to improve accessibility. Bonitas is the second largest open medical scheme in the country after Discovery and supports over 730,000 beneficiaries. The average 8.8% increase for Bonitas packages comes in much higher than the recommended increases from the Council of Medical Schemes (CMS). The CMS published a circular last month recommending that medical schemes limit their contribution increases for 2026 to inflation at 3.3% plus “reasonable utilisation estimates”. In its latest circular, the council noted that private medical inflation usually exceeded CPI by 2 to 3 percentage points. Thus, the “reasonable” increase for 2026 would be anywhere between 5.4% and 6.8%. Medical aid contribution increases in 2025 averaged 10.1%, against inflation of 3%. This was up from an already high 10.3% average increase in 2024. Year after year, medical aids justify the huge increases to packages by blaming medical care inflation – which outpaces headline inflation – as well as other contributing factors. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessTech
Rustenburg municipal manager seeks court interdict to block special council meeting over misconduct allegations against him City Press reports that Rustenburg Local Municipality manager Ashmar Khuduge last week launched an urgent high court application to block what he claimed was an unlawfully convened special council meeting aimed at discussing misconduct allegations against him. The embattled municipal manager approached the North West High Court in Mahikeng, seeking to set aside the notice for an adjourned special council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 23 September. The notice was issued by Speaker Lebo Pule after mounting pressure to hold Khuduge accountable. Khuduge faces accusations of serious misconduct, including financial mismanagement and irregular procurement processes. While on three-day sick leave, Khuduge shocked municipal officials by serving court papers at midnight on Thursday to interdict the council sitting. According to court papers, Khuduge argued that the special council meeting violated statutory provisions and municipal regulations. He claimed it formed part of a broader political agenda to discredit and remove him from office. In the court papers filed on 18 September, Khuduge alleges that disciplinary processes in local government are often abused by individuals with political motives to target opponents. He fears the unlawful proceedings could irreparably damage his integrity, status and future employment prospects in public administration. Opposition parties have been calling for Khuduge’s removal, arguing that the allegations against him are extensive and damaging. Read the full original of the extensive report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini at City Press (subscription / trial registration required) Ekurhuleni faces claims of institutional cover-up over EMPD chief’s alleged misconduct The Star reports that the City of Ekurhuleni faces fresh allegations of institutional cover-up following claims that senior municipal officials refused to take disciplinary action against Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Acting Chief Julius Mkhwanazi. He is accused of facilitating the illegal transfer of city-owned vehicles equipped with blue lights to private businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is under arrest and facing a slew of charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. Whispers of impropriety have gained momentum with claims that senior municipal officials have deliberately shied away from taking necessary disciplinary actions against Mkhwanazi, thus raising questions about accountability within the city's administration. Xolani Nciza, the former head of employee relations at the Ekurhuleni municipality and the official who oversaw the internal investigation into the matter, spoke to eNCA on Tuesday about how efforts to hold Mkhwanazi accountable were systematically undermined. Nciza detailed how the municipality intended to suspend Mkhwanazi and prepare criminal charges, but was blocked from proceeding. “When we were ready to serve charges, senior officials intervened. The powers-that-be said no. The city manager was involved, and instructions were given to the head of Human Resources to halt the charges," he stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Makwakwa at The Star
Former bank employee allegedly used personal information of clients to apply for loans The Citizen reports that on Tuesday the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court granted former bank employee Rachel Tsakani Bloko bail of R5,000 for alleged fraud. Bloko, 38, was arrested in Polokwane on Monday on charges of R130,000 fraud. According to a police spokesperson, Bloko used the personal information of bank clients without their knowledge to apply for personal loans. The victims only became aware of the loans after the bank informed them of unpaid accounts. A warrant of arrest was issued, leading to her arrest. The case was postponed to 24 October 2025 for further investigation. This is not the first case of its kind involving bank employees. In July, the Gqeberha Regional Court sentenced Lusanda Gloria Qose, 35, to five years in prison for her role in a fraud scheme involving the unlawful access and manipulation of a customer’s banking profile. The victim lost R245,000 as a result. The bank ultimately refunded the complainant and absorbed the financial loss. Qose repaid R87,000 through a deduction from her pension fund and expressed remorse for her actions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vhahangwele Nemakonde at The Citizen
New external probe into sex abuse at Eastern Cape school after earlier reports were not adequately addressed News24 reports that an investigative team has been appointed from outside the district of JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School in Dutywa, Eastern Cape to probe allegations of sexual abuse of female pupils. This follows concerns that previous reports had not been adequately addressed, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube indicated on Tuesday. She pointed out that the reporting of sexual offences by schools was a legal requirement, “not a discretionary matter”. Allegations surfaced over the weekend through a viral video by a former pupil at the school who alleged that many girls had fallen pregnant by their male teachers. She claimed that some were forced to have abortions, while others were expelled owing to a policy prohibiting pupils from attending school while pregnant. One of the male teachers accused of sexual abuse died, allegedly by suicide, on Monday, provincial education department spokesperson Mali Mtima reported. However, according to Mtima, this would not deter a team that has been established to probe allegations of sexual abuse from continuing its work. Mtima said the team visited the school on Monday and added that psychological services were being offered to pupils at the school. Meanwhile, the SA Youth Council in the Amathole District has demanded action against the implicated teachers at the school. “These allegations are not new,” the council said in a statement. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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